MIAMI BASKETBALL

RedHawks hold off Mercer to win tourney

Ballroom walk-through aided press prep

Antwone Woolfolk's strong play inside and on the boards was a big plus for Miami again Tuesday. (MVSmith/MRO)

By MIKE SMITH
​FORT MEYERS, Fl -- The Miami RedHawks (4-2) added a trophy to their fun in the Florida Sun Tuesday at Suncoast Credit Union Arena as they edged Mercer (3-4) 75-72 to win the Fort Meyers Tip-off tournament Palms Division. 

"It's a big step for us," Miami head coach Travis Steele said. "We've got to get used to these moments, so that when we get to Cleveland (and the MAC Tournament), we've done it before." 

Miami, which defeated Siena 70-68 in tournament action Monday, put five players in double figures against Mercer. Peter Suder, who earned Tournament MVP honors, led MU with 16 points while Eian Elmer tallied 15 points. Antwone Woolfolk and . . . 

---

Peter Suder battles for an offensive rebound late in the second half. His put-back helped Miami hold off Mercer to take the Fort Meyer Tip-off title. (MVSmith/MRO)

. . . Mekhi Cooper netted 13 apiece. Kam Craft chipped in 11 points. 

"I've known Pete (Suder) since he was in high school," said Steele, adding that he rolled the dice on another recruiting opportunity to try for Suder when he entered the portal this year. 

"I said, 'I have to take a chance to get this kid. He fits me. He fits out program. He fits our culture.'"

Mercer guard Ahmad Robinson led all scorers with 19 points. 
"He's a blur. He's hard to guard (and . . .  you can't keep him out of the paint," Steele said. "he has that (Barry Sanders) type speed , change of direction, speed and explosion -- and he can shoot, and he can pass." 

Mercer, who averages 14.3 ppg and 5.3 apg, was 6-of-12 from the field and 6-of-7 from the line against Miami. Some of his later free throws helped Mercer rally from a 12-point deficit with 6:31 remaining. 

---

The Bulls pulled within three (63-60) with 4:30 left, but Suder ended Mercer's 11-2 run with a jumper. From that point on, the teams traded shots while the lead fluctuated between three and five points. 

Evan Ipsaro draws contact while driving the baseline. (MVSmith/MRO)

One of the key moments came with 36 seconds left. Holding a 71-68 lead, the RedHawks were inbounding the ball against a heavy Bears press. Woolfolk seemed to be the obviously open MU player, and he got the ball. Mercer immediately fouled the 6-9 junior, who had made 4-of-9 free throws prior to Tuesday. However, Woolfolk hit both ends of his one-and-one.

Robinson drained two at the other end, but Cooper nailed both ends of his double-bonus opportunity with second seconds left to seal the victory. Alex Holt's tip-in at the buzzer reduced the final margin to three points. 

Miami finished the contest sinking 16-of-18 charity tosses. Steele was also generally happy with his team's performance against Mercer's press. Some of the success may have been from extra work Monday night. Steele said that after watching Mercer play Jacksonville in Monday's second game, he later used the hotel ballroom to do a "press offense walkthrough" with his team. We were "much better today, especially late in the game." 

---

Mekhi Cooper drives the baseline against a Mercer defender. Cooper was one of five RedHawks to reach double figure scoring. (MVSmith/MRO)

FIRST HALF ACTION
Miami moved in front early, but the Bears took a 10-8 lead with 16:21 left in the first half. They stayed in front until Elmer scored on a layup at 12:01 to make it a 19-19 game. Luke Skaljack followed with a triple at 11:23, and Miami remained in front after that. The RedHawks led by nine (4:31) before taking a five point edge to intermission. 

Miami head coach Travis Steele said winning the tournament is the kind of experience his team needed to prepare for success in March at the Mid-American Conference tournament. (MVSmith/MRO)

NOTES: 
>> Both teams finished with 27 field goals.
>> Miami shot 50.9 percent (27/53) from the field, while Mercer hit 43.5 percent (27/62).
>> The RedHawks made 5-of-24 3-point shots. Elmer (2/4) was the only MU player to make more than one triple. Mercer connected on 7-of-24 (43.5%). 
>> The Bears out-rebounded MU 32-27. Thirteen of Mercer's rebounds were on the offensive end. 
>> Both teams registered 34 points in the paint. 
>> Woolfolk's two free throws on a one-and-one opporturnity in the final minute were very big points. He was 5-of-8 from the field and grabbed six rebounds in a physical game. "I thought his urgency down here was tremendous," Steele said. "Antwone is our enforcer. He gets the traffic rebounds and can score in the low post. He can pass it, and he give us that physical presence inside (that) we desperately need." 
>> Steele was complimentary of the tournament on several levels. "It's the best-run tournament that I've been to. This is phenominal  -- the setting, the gym (and) the travel was easy for us. It's an elite tournament." 

Eian Elmore (above) scored 15 points in Miami's win over Mercer. Luke Skaljac contributed five, including two on this drive. (MVSmith/MRO)